Picture frame attachment

ABSTRACT

An attachment expressly adapted to be operatively mounted on rearward faces of longitudinal side members and transverse end members, respectively, of a picture frame. It comprises a flatfaced cover plate which is hinged at one end, detachably fastened at the other end, and when closed spans and covers the rear side of a glass-covered sight opening. The outwardly or forwardly disposed side of the plate is provided with a box-like pocket which is open at one end and provides a holder for a plurality of selectively usable interchangeable pictures, art-prints, drawings or the like. Slotted selectively usable hanger-tabs are positioned so that the frame can be hung vertically or horizontally at will.

United States Patent Andrews 51 Aug. 1,1972

[54] PICTURE FRAME ATTACHMENT [22] Filed: July 14, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 54,806

[52] US. Cl ..40/l52.1 [51] Int. Cl ..G09f 1/12 [58] Field of Search ..40/152, 152.1, 156; 248/489 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,104,219 7/1914 Polverino ..40/152.l

619,743 2/1899 Hathaway ..40/152.1 2,649,799 8/1953 Spertus ..40/152 3,345,768 10/1967 Schulz ..40/152.1

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 37,532 10/1929 France ..40/152 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-Wenceslao J. Contreras Atl0rneyCla.rence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson [5 7] ABSTRACT An attachment expressly adapted to be operatively mounted on rearward faces of longitudinal side members and transverse end members, respectively, of a picture frame. It comprises a flat-faced cover plate which is hinged at one end, detachably fastened at the other end, and when closed spans and covers the rear side of a glass-covered sight opening. The outwardly or forwardly disposed side of the plate is provided with a box-like pocket which is open at one end and provides a holder for a plurality of selectively usable interchangeable pictures, art-prints, drawings or the like. Slotted selectively usable hanger-tabs are positioned so that the frame can be hung vertically or horizontally at will.

1 1 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PAIENTEIIIus um 3.680.239

.- -LL 14 4644 5(J 'T Willard H. Andrews I.\"I 'EXTOR.

BY fiM PICTURE FRAME ATTACHNIENT This invention relates to a self-contained attachment which can be appropriately hingedly mounted on the wall-confronting back of a conventional-type picture frame and which is such in construction and purpose that it enables a user to conveniently and readily store interchangeable art-prints, pictures and drawings in a manner to permit selective viewing at the front or obverse side.

More specifically, the attachment is characterized by a suitably hinged openable and closable pocketequipped cover'plate wherein predetermined transverse and longitudinal marginal edges are provided with flexible outstanding tabs with saw-toothed slots which function as hangers and which are optionally usable to permit the frame to be hung either vertically or horizontally and without requiring the use of suspension wires, hooks and commonly used frame-hanging accessories.

By way of introduction to the description of the details, it is to be pointed out that the picture frame, as such, is of common construction and for purposes of description here is designated as having a suitably ornate obverse side or face and a generally flat back or rearward face which opposes the wall or other support surface on which the frame is to be hung. To the ends desired the upper and lower transverse frame members of the over-all frame can be sloped outwardly that is disposed at an approximate oblique angle to the plane of the wall. The inner peripheral edges of the transverse and longitudinal members of the frame are provided with a marginal encompassing flange which provides an abutment for the edge portions of the usual insertable and removable glass panel or equivalent front covering transparency. It follows that the frame is not intended to be altered and that the attachment, the subject matter of the instant invention, is to be carefully made to coact with the existing or component parts of the frame.

Briefly, the attachment is prefabricated and precision-made for coordinate orientation with the rearward side of the sight opening. The cover plate is of flatfaced moldable plastic or equivalent material and, specifically, is approximately rectangular in elevation. In fact, it is of a size that it can be hingedly mounted on the bottom member of the frame and can be swung into the receptacle portion of the frame to adequately span the sight opening, that is, from the rear side of the frame. One transverse marginal edge of the plate has a relatively narrow attaching flange, and edge portion of which is joined to an adjacent end or body portion of the plate by a score line or crease. This crease defines a simple folding hinge. The other transverse end of the plate has a pair of spaced fastening and retaining flaps which are apertured, the apertures defining keeper holes. A centralized portion of the other transverse edge has an outstanding slotted tab. Also, a central portion of one longitudinal edge has an integral outstanding hanger tab which is likewise slotted. Corresponding lengthwise edge portions of the respective tab slots are serrated to provide saw-like teeth which can be adjustably fastened to a protruding end of a nail or the like which is driven, usually at an oblique angle, into the wall or other support surface. Primarily the essence of the invention has to do with a plate whose forward or outward face is provided with an integral pocket. The pocket is closed on three edges and open at one end, more particularly, the upper end. This pocket provides a receptacle or receiver for a plurality of insertable and removable art prints, drawings, pictures or the like which are selectively brought into play as desired.

The invention also features an elongated slot in the plate which facilitates lifting the prints or pictures from the storing pocket. Then too, an upper sloping rear surface of an upper frame member is provided with a strip member which is fastened flatwise and has inserts embedded therein with the inserts provided with accessible outstanding studs which function as keepers and which serve to accommodate keeper holes on the fastening flaps at the coordinating ends of the hinged plate.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a picture frame equipped with the improved attachment and showing the slotted plate swung outwardly and downwardly to an open position permitting access to be had to the pictures in the pocket.

FIG. 2 is a central vertical sectional view with the attachment on the frame and with the attachmentequipped frame hung from a support nail or the like driven at an angle into a wall or equivalent support surface.

FIG. 3 is a-view in perspective of the attachment by itself ready for installation.

And FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing how the elongated frame can be suspended vertically, say for a portrait, or suspended horizontally for a landscape or for whatever other purpose may be desired.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular, the conventional type picture frame is designated by the numeral 6, the obverse or forward face 8 being suitably ornamented (not shown) if so desired. The two longitudinal frame members are denoted at 10 and the upper and lower transverse frame members are designated at 12 and 14. The rearward or back faces of the longitudinal members are substantially flat and the surface of the transverse members can be inclined to assume oblique angled positions relative to the surface of the wall, that is the surface 16 shown in FIG. 2. The aforementioned sight opening is denoted by the numeral 18 and is marginally encompassed by the usual lip-like flange or flange means 20 against which marginal edge portions of the insertable and removable glass 22 (FIG. 2) is retentively positioned.

In order to accommodate the attachment, the upper sloping surface of the upper transverse member is provided with an adapter strip 24 which is suitably fixed in place and is adapted to function in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1. The end portions of the strip are provided with block-like embedded inserts 26 of suitable size and material and each insert is provided with a projecting stud 28 which constitutes a keeper pin. These keeper pins serve as fasteners for the plastic or equivalent attachment. The attachment comprises a substantially flat-faced rectangular or equivalent plate 30 having a vertically elongated slot 32 therein as shown in FIG. 1. A lower transverse end portion of this plate, as denoted at 34, is provided with a flexible attaching and hinging flange 36. This flange is of a length and width that it can be superimposed on the surface of the frame member and secured thereto as at 38. A lengthwise crease or score line is provided at 40 and functions as a simple hinge and allows the plate to be swung to closed position (FIG. 2) or open position as shown in FIG. 1.

It will be noted that the over-all area of the plate 30 is such as to cooperate with and properly close the rear or back side of the sight opening 18, that is when the plate is closed as shown in FIG. 2. The upper transverse end of the plate which is here conveniently designated at 42 in FIG. 1 is provided at the left and right with duplicate bendable or flexible attaching flaps 44. Each flap is centrally provided with an embedded insert 46 of suitable material and which is apertured to provide a keeper hole 48. These flaps and holes register with the aforementioned keeper studs 28. This is to say, when the plate is closed the keeper holes fit over the studs and thus retain or fasten the cover plate in its closed readyto-function position. A median portion of one longitudinal edge of the plate, that is the portion 50, as shown in FIG. 1 is provided with an outstanding tongue or tab 52. This tab is provided with a slot 54 and one edge portion of the slot is serrated to provide saw-teeth 56. A correspondingly constructed tongue or tab is provided at 58 (FIG. 1) and again the tab, which in this instance is located between the two flaps 44, is provided with an appropriate slot 60 having a serrated edge also providing saw-teeth 62. These toothed slots serve in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1 to adequately support and adjustably balance the over-all frame from the wall, that is, by way of an angularly driven headed or equivalent nail 64.

Of significance is the aforementioned box-like integral holder or pocket. This pocket is denoted, generally stated, by the numeral 66 (FIG. 3). It. is closed on three sides and is open at one end to provide an accessible mouth 68 for the insertable and removable pictures, drawings or art-prints, which are denoted at 70. This pocket is of requisite length and width in proportion to the areal dimension of the hinged plate 30. In addition, it will be noted that one wall of the pocket, the wall 72, provides a backing member and when the pocket is swung into the receptacle portion of the frame this wall 72 comes into play and positions and retains the picture 74 in its ready-to-view or display position. i

It will be noted that the marginal edges of the plate project beyond the cooperating marginal edges of the pocket 66 as is evident from the illustration in FIG. 3 to permit the pocket to telescope into the compact and convenient picture storing position shown in FIG. 2.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination, a picture frame having a pair of coplanar side members cooperatively joined by end members, said frame having an obverse face and a rear wall abutting face, the inner marginal edges of said frame member having encompassing flanges defining a sight opening and providing abutments for an optionally insertable and removable picture covering transparency, an applicable and removable cover plate normally spanning and covering a rear side of said sight opening and having means hingedly connecting a lower edge to the coacting lower end member of said frame and permitting said cover plate to be manually swung from a closed position to an accessible open position, said means comprising a flange which is integral with a coacting lower end portion of said plate, said flange being joined to said plate by a folding score line and being superimposed upon and secured atop an underlying rearward surface of the lower frame member of said frame in a manner to provide the aforementioned connecting and hinging means, plate retaining means on said frame and cover plate, respectively, and serving to releasably maintain said cover plate in a closed picture positioning and displaying position, said plate having a forwardly facing surface provided with means for storing a plurality of selectively usable interchangeable pictures.

2. The combination defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein said storing means comprises a pocket which is supportively mounted on said forwardly facing surface, said pocket providing a storage receptacle for a plurality of readily insertable and removable pictures, art-prints or drawings and having an open end to facilitate inserting, removing, and interchanging said pictures.

3. The combination defined in and according to claim 2, and wherein said plate is proportional in area with the area of said sight opening, said pocket being box-like in configuration and proportioned in size to fittingly project into that part of the frame which delineates and defines said sight opening, that is, when said plate occupies a closed position.

4. The combination defined in and according to claim 3, and wherein said pocket has a forwardly facing wall which is planar and which provides a backing panel for a picture which has been selected and withdrawn from said pocket and positioned and sandwiched for viewing between said panel and the aforementioned transparency.

5. In combination, a picture frame having a pair of coplanar side members cooperatively joined by end members, said frame having an obverse face and a rear wall abutting face, the inner marginal edges of said frame member having encompassing flanges defining a sight opening and providing abutments for an optionally insertable and removable picture covering transparency, an applicable and removable cover plate normally spanning and covering a rear side of said sight opening and having means hingedly connecting a'lower edge to the coacting lower end member of said frame and permitting said cover plate to be manually swung from a closed position to an accessible open position, plate retaining means on said frame and cover plate, respectively, and serving to releasably maintain said cover plate in a closed picture positioning and displaying position, said plate retaining means comprising keeper studs fixedly mounted on and projecting rearwardly from a rearward surface of an upper member of one edge of which is serrated to provide tooth-like serrations which are adapted to be balanced and hung from a wall-supported support nail or the like.

7. An attachment for the rearward side of a picture frame having a sight opening, that is, a frame having a pair of longitudinal side members cooperatively joined by a pair of transverse end members, said attachment comprising a flat-faced cover plate having longitudinal marginal edges joined by transverse marginal edges, one transverse marginal edge having an attaching flange joined to an adjacent end portion of the plate by a crease defining a plate hinging fold line, the other transverse end having a pair of spaced fastening and retaining flaps which are apertured to provide keeper holes, a centralized portion of said other transverse edge having an outstanding slotted hanger tab, a centralized portion of one longitudinal edge having an integral outstanding hanger tab which is also and likewise slotted, said plate having its forward face provided with means for storing a plurality of selectively usable as well as interchangeable pictures, art-prints, drawings or the like.

8. The attachment defined in and according to claim 7, and wherein said storing means comprises a box-like pocket which is supportively mounted on said forwardly facing surface, said pocket providing a storage receptacle and having a forwardly facing wall which provides a picture stabilizing and backing panel.

9. An attachment for the rearward side of a conventional type picture frame having a sight opening, said attachment comprising a flat-faced cover plate having longitudinal marginal edges joined by transverse marginal edges, one transverse marginal edge having attaching flange means for securing to a conventional type picture frame, and joined to an adjacent end portion of the plate by a crease defining a plate hinging fold line, the other transverse end having a pair of spaced fastening and retaining flaps which are apertured to provide keeper holes, said plate having its forward face provided with means for storing a plurality of selectively usable as well as interchangeable pictures, art prints, drawings and the like.

10. The attachment defined in and according to claim 9, and wherein said storing means comprises a box-like pocket which is supportively mounted on said forwardly facing surface, said pocket providing a storage receptacle and having a forwardly facing wall which provides a picture stabilizing and backing panel.

11. The combination defined in and according to claim 9, and wherein said cover plate is provided with optionally usable hanger tabs, each tab having a slot one edge of which is serrated to provide tooth-like serrations which are adapted to be balanced and hung from a wall-supported support nail or the like. 

1. In combination, a picture frame having a pair of coplanar side members cooperatively joined by end members, said frame having an obverse face and a rear wall abutting face, the inner marginal edges of said frame member having encompassing flanges defining a sight opening and providing abutments for an optionally insertable and removable picture covering transparency, an applicable and removable cover plate normally spanning and covering a rear side of said sight opening and having means hingedly connecting a lower edge to the coacting lower end member of said frame and permitting said cover plate to be manually swung from a closed position to an accessible open poSition, said means comprising a flange which is integral with a coacting lower end portion of said plate, said flange being joined to said plate by a folding score line and being superimposed upon and secured atop an underlying rearward surface of the lower frame member of said frame in a manner to provide the aforementioned connecting and hinging means, plate retaining means on said frame and cover plate, respectively, and serving to releasably maintain said cover plate in a closed picture positioning and displaying position, said plate having a forwardly facing surface provided with means for storing a plurality of selectively usable interchangeable pictures.
 2. The combination defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein said storing means comprises a pocket which is supportively mounted on said forwardly facing surface, said pocket providing a storage receptacle for a plurality of readily insertable and removable pictures, art-prints or drawings and having an open end to facilitate inserting, removing, and interchanging said pictures.
 3. The combination defined in and according to claim 2, and wherein said plate is proportional in area with the area of said sight opening, said pocket being box-like in configuration and proportioned in size to fittingly project into that part of the frame which delineates and defines said sight opening, that is, when said plate occupies a closed position.
 4. The combination defined in and according to claim 3, and wherein said pocket has a forwardly facing wall which is planar and which provides a backing panel for a picture which has been selected and withdrawn from said pocket and positioned and sandwiched for viewing between said panel and the aforementioned transparency.
 5. In combination, a picture frame having a pair of coplanar side members cooperatively joined by end members, said frame having an obverse face and a rear wall abutting face, the inner marginal edges of said frame member having encompassing flanges defining a sight opening and providing abutments for an optionally insertable and removable picture covering transparency, an applicable and removable cover plate normally spanning and covering a rear side of said sight opening and having means hingedly connecting a lower edge to the coacting lower end member of said frame and permitting said cover plate to be manually swung from a closed position to an accessible open position, plate retaining means on said frame and cover plate, respectively, and serving to releasably maintain said cover plate in a closed picture positioning and displaying position, said plate retaining means comprising keeper studs fixedly mounted on and projecting rearwardly from a rearward surface of an upper member of said frame, and flaps carried by an upper marginal edge of said plate and having keeper holes for retentive reception of the respectively cooperable keeper studs, said plate having a forwardly facing surface provided with means for storing a plurality of selectively usable interchangeable pictures.
 6. The combination defined in and according to claim 5, and wherein said cover plate is provided with optionally usable hanger tabs, each tab having a slot one edge of which is serrated to provide tooth-like serrations which are adapted to be balanced and hung from a wall-supported support nail or the like.
 7. An attachment for the rearward side of a picture frame having a sight opening, that is, a frame having a pair of longitudinal side members cooperatively joined by a pair of transverse end members, said attachment comprising a flat-faced cover plate having longitudinal marginal edges joined by transverse marginal edges, one transverse marginal edge having an attaching flange joined to an adjacent end portion of the plate by a crease defining a plate hinging fold line, the other transverse end having a pair of spaced fastening and retaining flaps which are apertured to provide keeper holes, a centralized portion of said other transverse edge having an outstanding slotted haNger tab, a centralized portion of one longitudinal edge having an integral outstanding hanger tab which is also and likewise slotted, said plate having its forward face provided with means for storing a plurality of selectively usable as well as interchangeable pictures, art-prints, drawings or the like.
 8. The attachment defined in and according to claim 7, and wherein said storing means comprises a box-like pocket which is supportively mounted on said forwardly facing surface, said pocket providing a storage receptacle and having a forwardly facing wall which provides a picture stabilizing and backing panel.
 9. An attachment for the rearward side of a conventional type picture frame having a sight opening, said attachment comprising a flat-faced cover plate having longitudinal marginal edges joined by transverse marginal edges, one transverse marginal edge having attaching flange means for securing to a conventional type picture frame, and joined to an adjacent end portion of the plate by a crease defining a plate hinging fold line, the other transverse end having a pair of spaced fastening and retaining flaps which are apertured to provide keeper holes, said plate having its forward face provided with means for storing a plurality of selectively usable as well as interchangeable pictures, art prints, drawings and the like.
 10. The attachment defined in and according to claim 9, and wherein said storing means comprises a box-like pocket which is supportively mounted on said forwardly facing surface, said pocket providing a storage receptacle and having a forwardly facing wall which provides a picture stabilizing and backing panel.
 11. The combination defined in and according to claim 9, and wherein said cover plate is provided with optionally usable hanger tabs, each tab having a slot one edge of which is serrated to provide tooth-like serrations which are adapted to be balanced and hung from a wall-supported support nail or the like. 